Raja M Flores, MD
- PROFESSOR AND SYSTEM CHAIR | Thoracic Surgery
Specialties:
Surgery, Thoracic SurgeryDr. Raja M. Flores is the Chairman for the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Steven and Ann Ames Professor in Thoracic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Health System.
Dr. Flores’ is a recognized leader in the field of Thoracic Surgery for his pioneering efforts in the treatment of mesothelioma. He has established VATS lobectomy, a minimally invasive approach using three small incisions, as the gold standard in the surgical treatment of lung cancer. He published two sentinel studies validating its oncological effectiveness by demonstrating equivalent survival and recurrence rates with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays when compared to standard thoracotomy. Dr. Flores implemented the current program for this procedure at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He was a lead investigator in a multicenter trial of neoadjuvant alimta/cisplatin, extrapleural pneumonectomy, and high-dose radiation which is designed to improve outcomes.
Dr. Flores currently has one of the largest VATS lobectomy experiences in the world. He has published this data and has presented it at numerous national and international meetings.
Dr. Flores’ additional research interests are based on numerous past projects relating to the multimodality management of malignant pleural mesothelioma, as well as innovative surgical techniques in minimally invasive thoracic surgery for lung cancer. He has led a number of major studies, including clinical trials of neoadjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy and high dose radiation. Dr. Flores is the Principle Investigator of the Libby Epidemiology Research Program, a $4.8 million RO1 grant funded by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The major goals of the research are to address questions regarding the health consequences of asbestos exposure (Libby Amphibole).
After earning an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from New York University, Dr. Flores attended the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, receiving his Medical Degree in 1992. He then spent fiveyears at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center pursuing his General Surgery Internship and General Surgery Residency. He then completed a Thoracic Oncology Clinical Research Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Dana Faber Cancer Institute/CALGB in Boston, and his Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He also received a Masters in Biostatistics from Columbia University. Dr. Flores is a member of numerous medical and surgical societies and serves on several editorial boards.
In the News
Dr. Flores discusses mesothelioma in the NY Daily News feature, The Daily Checkup.
Dr. Raja M. Flores New York’s strength, then and now NEW YORK DAILY NEWS - SEP 10, 2021 https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-new-yorks-strength-then-and-now-20210910-znhhcb4srzejtkdgkoutvqewda-story.html
Raja Flores, MD, discusses how banning asbestos is a giant leap forward for Biden's Cancer Moonshot. [The Hill]
Mount Sinai Achieves Highest Rating From Society of Thoracic Surgeons for Ground-Breaking Esophagectomy Program
The Mount Sinai Health System’s esophagectomy program has received a three-star (excellent performance) overall composite score from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). According to STS, only 13 institutions in the United States and Canada hold the three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, for esophagectomy surgery. Esophagectomy is the main surgical treatment for esophageal cancer. Mount Sinai’s esophagectomies incorporate a surgical innovation by Raja Flores, MD, Chair of Thoracic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Health System, who pioneered a simple yet highly effective change in the surgical approach.
Read the news release and learn more on Mount Sinai’s Physician Channel
Watch Dr. Flores discuss the rating and its significance
Read more in Becker's Hospital Review
Clinical Focus
- Achalasia
- Asbestosis
- Benign Neoplasm
- Bronchoscopy, Diagnostic
- Cancer Treatment
- Chest Wall Mass
- Chondrosarcoma
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophagectomy
- Hiatal Hernia
- Lung Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Mediastinal Abnormalities
- Mediastinoscopy
- Mesothelioma
- Pectus Excavatum
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary Lobectomy
- Robot-Assisted Thoracic Procedures
- Thoracotomy
- Thymectomy
- Tracheotomy
- Upper GI Endoscopy
Education
BA, New York University
MD, Yeshiva University Albert Einstein College of Medicine
MS, Columbia University
Residency, Surgery (General Surgery), Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
Residency, Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery), Brigham & Womens Hospital
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2010
Steven and Ann Ames Professorship in Thoracic Surgery
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr. Flores did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2022 and/or 2023: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
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